Dynamic Social Studies

NOTE: Used books, rentals, and purchases made outside of Pearson

If purchasing or renting from companies other than Pearson, the access codes for the Enhanced Pearson eText may not be included, may be incorrect, or may be previously redeemed. Check with the seller before completing your purchase.

For courses in Elementary Social Studies Methods.

Note: This is the bound book only and does not include access to the Enhanced Pearson eText. To order the Enhanced Pearson eText packaged with a bound book, use ISBN 0134286642.        

A practical guide that helps elementary social studies teachers activate a dynamic learning experience, inspiring children to understand and participate in the world around them.

Practical and dynamic are the hallmarks of the popular  Dynamic Social Studies , and this new edition steps up its focus with a fresh design and a number of updates that give readers a clear vision of the most effective ways to teach social studies to elementary school students—with the hope of inspiring them to become informed, rational, and culturally responsive citizens. Using a constructivist framework, key instructional approaches, literacy-based pedagogy, text sets, activities, and illustrative classroom scenarios, the book focuses on motivation, creativity, and the excellent examples of experienced teachers to help readers breathe life into their social studies teaching. 

In addition to new, authentic classroom scenarios, the Eleventh Edition also includes four new chapters (5-8) that reflect current best practices and align to the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies Standards, and the Common Core Standards. Current, practical, and dynamic, this book provides the foundation that pre- and in-service teachers need to create the most effective, creative elementary social studies classrooms. The Enhanced Pearson eText version includes embedded video examples, video exploration exercises, and self-check quizzes.

Improve mastery and retention with the Enhanced Pearson eText
The Enhanced Pearson eText provides a rich, interactive learning environment designed to improve student mastery of content. The Enhanced Pearson eText is:

• Engaging. The new interactive, multimedia learning features were developed by the authors and other subject-matter experts to deepen and enrich the learning experience.*
• Convenient. Enjoy instant online access from your computer or download the Pearson eText App to read on or offline on your iPad® and Android® tablet.**
• Affordable. Experience the advantages of the Enhanced Pearson eText along with all the benefits of print for 40% to 50% less than a print bound book.

* The Enhanced eText features are only available in the Pearson eText format. They are not available in third-party eTexts or downloads.

*The Pearson eText App is available on Google Play and in the App Store. It requires Android OS 3.1-4, a 7” or 10” tablet, or iPad iOS 5.0 or later.

George Maxim began his professional career in rural Appalachia classrooms and ultimately taught in varied settings and at different levels from preschool through the elementary school grades. After several years of experience, he pursued a PhD in Elementary Education from Penn State University, specializing in early childhood and social studies education. At the time, Dr. Maxim was the first doctoral student at Penn State to select a doctoral program combining those two disciplines. He accepted a position at West Chester (PA) University immediately after completing the requirements for his program, where he taught graduate and undergraduate courses in early childhood education, creativity, social studies methods, and literacy. Dr. Maxim served as Director of West Chester’s early childhood program for several years. In addition, Dr. Maxim has spoken to various groups, conducted in-service programs, consulted on many topics, and delivered workshops to teachers throughout the region. He has been invited to speak to audiences in locations as distant as Seoul, South Korea.

Dr. Maxim has received a number of teaching awards, including the Certificate of Excellence in College Teaching from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. He actively served various professional organizations, including the National Council for the Social Studies and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. As Chair of the Early Childhood Committee of the National Council for the Social Studies, Dr. Maxim was instrumental in starting the NCSS journal devoted specifically to early childhood/elementary educators, Social Studies and the Young Learner, and served on its editorial board for several years.

Dr. Maxim’s articles have appeared in various journals, including Childhood Education, Social Education, Social Studies and the Young Learner, Science and Children, The Arithmetic Teacher, and other relevant professional journals. He has written several books, including The Very Young, The Sourcebook, Learning Centers for Young Children, and Social Studies for Constructivist Classrooms.

Dr. Maxim continues to publish journal articles, consult, and speak to professional groups. He particularly enjoys being involved in projects designed to develop new and exciting approaches to social studies instruction. And, being retired and Professor Emeritus, Dr. Maxim will never run away from a good game of golf!